AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of a single whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) and a partial-bodycryostimulation (PBC) (i.e., not exposing the head to cold) on indices of parasympathetic activity and bloodcatecholamines. Two groups of 15 participants were assigned either to a 3-min WBC or PBC session, while 10participants constituted a control group (CON) not receiving any cryostimulation. Changes in thermal, physiologicaland subjective variables were recorded before and during the 20-min after each cryostimulation. According to aqualitative statistical analysis, an almost certain decrease in skin temperature was reported for all body regionsimmediately after the WBC (mean decrease±90% CL, -13.7±0.7°C) and PBC (-8.3±0.3°C), which persisted up to 20-min after the session. The tympanic temperature almost certainly decreased only after the WBC session(-0.32±0.04°C). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were very likely increased after the WBC session, whereasthese changes were trivial in the other groups. In addition, heart rate almost certainly decreased after PBC (-10.9%)and WBC (-15.2%) sessions, in a likely greater proportion for WBC compared to PBC. Resting vagal-related heartrate variability indices (the root-mean square difference of successive normal R-R intervals, RMSSD, and highfrequency band, HF) were very likely increased after PBC (RMSSD: +54.4%, HF: +138%) and WBC (RMSSD:+85.2%, HF: +632%) sessions without any marked difference between groups. Plasma norepinephrineconcentrations were likely to very likely increased after PBC (+57.4%) and WBC (+76.2%), respectively. Finally, coldand comfort sensations were almost certainly altered after WBC and PBC, sensation of discomfort being likely morepronounced after WBC than PBC. Both acute cryostimulation techniques effectively stimulated the autonomicnervous system (ANS), with a predominance of parasympathetic tone activation. The results of this study alsosuggest that a whole-body cold exposure induced a larger stimulation of the ANS compared to partial-body coldexposure.